Battle of Blanco Canyon , Texas 1871

[Two Flints]

Battle of Blanco Canyon, Texas 1871

The following story is from the book, On The Border With Mackenzie, by Captain R. G. Carter, who presents the following narrative.

The well delivered fire of our little handful of men, covering now a considerable line, caused the savages to scatter out still more, to falter and hesitate, and to commence their curious custom of circling. They were naked to the waist; were arrayed in all their war paint and trinkets, with head dresses or war bonnets of fur or feathers fantastically ornamented. Their ponies, especially the white, cream, dun, and clay banks, were striped and otherwise artistically painted and decorated with gaudy stripes of flannel and calico. Bells were jingling, feathers waving, and with jubilant, discordant yells that would have put to blush any Confederate brigade of the Civil War, and uttering taunting shouts, they pressed on to what they surely considered to be their legitimate prey. Mingled with the shouts, whoops, and yells of the warriors could be distinctly heard the strident screeching and higher-keyed piercing screams of the squaws, far in rear of the moving circles, which rose above the general din and hub-bub now rending the air. In the midst of the circling ponies we could see what appeared to be two standard bearers, but upon their nearer approach we discovered them to be two scalp poles gaily decorated with long scalp locks, probably of women, with feathers and pieces of bright metal attached which flashed in the morning light. There was also other flashes seen along their line which I afterwards ascertained were small pieces of mirrors held in the hand and used as signals in the alternate advances and retreats, deployments and concentrations, in place of tactical commands. These were carried by the principal warriors or sub-chiefs, acting, I supposed, as file closers, squad leaders, etc. They had no squad, platoon, or company line formations, and no two, three, or four Indians were seen at any time to come together or bunch. While a general line was maintained at all times, it was always a line of right and left hand circling, individual warriors with varying radii, expanding and contracting into longer or shorter lines, advancing or retreating during these tactical maneuvers. The scalp-pole bearers I took to be chiefs, or big medicine men, for they were arrayed in all the gorgeous trappings that savage barbarity is capable of displaying. It was a most terrifying spectacle to our little band, yet wild, grand, novel (to look back upon) in the extreme. No shouts or cheers from our men were given in response to the diabolical yelling and din of screeches of the Indians. They maintained a stolid, grim silence, one of determination to do or die to the last. Unfortunately Heyl's men were nearly all new recruits who had just joined us on the expedition. They had never been in a fight before; were all well mounted on comparatively fresh horses, and as with him (Heyl), who was mounted, as has been already stated, on a large, powerful, black horse, full of fine spirit and strength, the excitement of the chase having partially subsided, everything thus far having gone their way, their fighting ardor had as rapidly cooled, and, seeing the ultimatum of being surrounded and massacred, unless assistance arrived very soon, chose to trust to their horses; heels in an endeavor to escape, rather than to face longer the ferocious Qua-ha-das, whose wild yells, whoops, screams, and screeches now sounded so unpleasantly close to their ears.

This is precisely what they did do. To my utter surprise and consternation, on my attention being called by one of my men-"Lieutenant, look over there, quick; they are running out!"-I saw Captain Heyl and his men "bunch," and with spurs in their horses' flanks, ride out of the fight at full speed. Shouts, commands, threats, curses were of no avail. The moral effect of that wild, fancifully dressed, shrieking band of half naked Comanches, drawing about our flanks and now beginning to close in with their arrows and pistols, was too much for raw men who had never been "tried out" under fire. To my utter dismay I was left a long distance in rear with these five men of "G" troop, a gallant, brave squad of men. We were still some hundreds of yards from the ravine toward which we had been slowly but gradually drawing when we first realized our critical dilemma. This was all done without any notice or warning being given to me by Captain Heyl. He had given no orders or instructions since we had first arrived on the ground.

At this movement by Heyl and his men, the Comanches gave an extra yell of supreme satisfaction, began bunching for a charge, and, making a sudden dash at us with some of the leading warriors, the bullets and arrows began coming in quickly, and to brush uncomfortably near us from every direction.

Knowing that it would be certain death should he turn, try to join the panic-stricken, retreating party, and make a run for the shelter of the arroya, the writer mounted his men, cautioned them to keep well deployed, to cut off the magazines of their Spencer carbines, reserving them until the last moment, and to commence falling back-using single shots-turning to fire, but on no account to turn and run until they got the word. The order was carried out to the letter. The Indians were poorly armed with muzzle-loading rifles and pistols, lances, and bows. We commenced moving to the rear, bending low on our horses, several of which were struck with arrows. We faced about as often as possible to fire and check them, hoping every moment to see the head of Mackenzie's column come out of the adjacent valley of the Fresh Fork. When we finally faced the leading warriors, a bullet struck Downey in the hand, cutting two fingers, as he was in the act of working the lever of his carbine. With his hand streaming blood, his efforts seemed useless. The shell would not eject. "Lieutenant, what shall I do?" I shouted, "Use your hunting knife, and eject the shell with it!" The brave man did it with his wounded hand, and firing a moment later, almost in their faces, dropped an Indian out of the saddle. They were still afraid of our carbines. Using them up to the last moment as single shooters, I shouted, as we neared the arroya: "Now, men, unlock your magazines, bunch your shots, pump it into them, and make a dash for your lives! It is all we can do!" The Indians recoiled as we delivered this volley, and several going off their ponies caused some confusion, as we made the run. Thank God for those Spencers! My affection for them has never changed. It was not necessary that they should carry one thousand or twelve hundred yards, but kill at five hundred down to twenty or thirty yards, in what almost became a mix-up.

Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter was awarded the Medal of Honor for the above mentioned action (in bold type) against hostile Comanche Indians





The situation had been desperate from the first. It now seemed to be absolutely hopeless. I never expected we would reach the arroya. I felt that our time to die had come, and many thoughts rushed unbidden to the mind. Gregg was about ten or fifteen yards to my right and rear, after we gave them our magazines and turned, riding then on my right flank. He said: "Lieutenant, my horse is giving out!" I glanced partly over my shoulder, and saw that it was too true. He was on an old flea-bitten gray, and the horse was beginning to sway in that peculiar manner always seen in an exhausted horse. The Comanches, almost by intuition, also knew that he was in their grasp, and the leading Indians, having partially recovered from the blizzard we had pumped into them, and seeing the animal stagger and falter, rushed in to dispatch the unfortunate man.

A large and powerfully built chief led the bunch, on a coal-black racing pony. Leaning forward upon his mane, his heels nervously working in the animal's side, with six-shooter poised in air, he seemed the incarnation of savage brutal joy. His face was smeared with black war paint, which gave his features a satanic look. A large, cruel mouth added to his ferocious appearance. A full-length headdress or war bonnet of eagle's feathers, spreading out as he rode, and descending from his forehead, over head and back, to his pony's tail, almost swept the ground. Large brass hoops were in his ears; he was naked to his waist, wearing simply leggings, moccasins and a breechclout. A necklace of bear's claws hung about his neck. His scalp lock was carefully braided in with otter fur, and tied with bright red flannel. His horse's bridle was profusely ornamented with bits of silver, and red flannel was also braided in his mane and tail, but, being black, he was not painted. Bells jingled as he rode at headlong speed, followed by the leading warriors, all eager to outstrip him in the race. It was Quanah, principal war chief of the wild Qua-ha-das.

Quanah Parker, Chief of the Kwahadis Comanches



On October 12th, a norther struck. Soldiers drove on though only clothed in their summer uniforms. For days they pushed after the Indians against the wet snow and freezing temperatures. They were constantly subjected to lightning raids against their flanks by small bands of Comanches.

The effect of his pursuit on the Comanche tribe was evidenced in the form of abandoned lodge polls, heavy cooking pots, buffalo skins, and even puppies in the path of their pursuit. With success in their grasp, the terrible Norther became a vicious blizzard. For fear that he could lose his ill clothed command if they were exposed to much more, Mackenzie called off his pursuit and began his return to Ft. Richardson, arriving on November 18th. During his return march he received an arrow wound in his leg during a skirmish, a fact which he left out of his official report, either out of pride or embarrassment. They had marched over 500 miles and gained the knowledge and experience necessary to engage the enemy in either extreme heat or cold on the most inhospitable geography.

Mackenzie spent the remaining winter of 1871 dealing with discipline and desertion. The soldiers of the Fourth Cavalry, infinitely more efficient than those of the Sixth whom they replaced, still had plenty among them who were unhappy enough with their lot to be lured into deserting the Army. Mackenzie's desertion policy was two fold. First, he doggedly pursued the deserters until they were found, brought back, and severely and publicly punished. Second, he kept his men constantly busy scouting the frontier. The next year he led his raiders to the North Fork of the Red River where they found and destroyed Shaking Hand's (Mow-way) Comanche camp and returned with over a hundred captured Comanche women and children. He held them hostage, successfully pressuring the Comanche to suspend their raiding.

Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie, Colonel 4th Cavalry Regiment



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More information on Captain Carter:

Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter
BORN: April 18, 1847 at Bridgton, ME
Entered Service in the US Army from Bradford, MA
Earned The Medal of Honor During the Indian Campaigns For heroism on October 10, 1871 at Brazos River, TX
DIED: January 04, 1936 at the age of 88

Lieutenant Robert G. Carter was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the engagement at Brazos River, Texas, on October 10, 1871, that subsequently came to be called "The Battle of Blanco Canyon." On October 9 a cavalry column in pursuit of hostile Indians reached the White River and Blanco Canyon. Late that evening Quanah Parker and a Comanche force stampeded through the cavalry camp, driving off sixty-six horses. The following morning a detachment of troopers set off down the canyon chasing a small group of Indians who were driving several horses. Topping a hill in the ragged edge of the canyon, the soldiers were confronted with a much larger party of Indians waiting in ambush. The right side of the cavalry line retreated in confusion, but Lt. Robert Goldthwaite Carter and five men held off the Comanche with a rapid fire until other troops came to the rescue. Later in the battle while charging Indian warriors and dodging their heavy fire, Lieutenant Carter's leg was slammed into a rock by his mount, an injury so serious his boot had to be cut off. In great pain, Lieutenant Carter continued his defense, and a subsequent six-day, 100 mile pursuit of the fleeing Indians.

Captain Carter's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery



Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter whose splended use of the Spencer carbine earned him the Medal of Honor.

[smith693]

I just joined the group and found this entry which is why I joined to begin with. I am 30 miles from the area in which this battle happened and are actively looking for the grave of Leander Gregg and evidence of the battle site.

I am joined by several others and was wondering about the rifles they would have carried at the time. Obviously, the casings left behind would be the first place for us to look. The 4th cavalry made other trips into this area in 1872 and 1874 and I was wondering if anyone knows what casing they would be carrying? 45-70 or 50-70? Not sure there is anything definitive out there about what the 4th Cavalry was equipped with but figured you guys would know better than anyone.

Also, whichever rifle they were carrying (if you guys can help me out on that), I was wondering if a replica is available or if an authentic one ever becomes available. Love to have it for a member of the research team.

LOL... I've learned to search all my terms when I come across resources like your board. It was miraculous.

I have been told that the 50-70 round would have been used in 1871 and 72. And that any 45-70s would have been in the 1874 trip out here. The cavalry came out three separate times and on the second and third trip ,they established a well documented supply camp and many casings have been found there of these calibers. I personally found a 45-70 there. I have no idea if this is right or not. This 45-70 looks to have the benet primer but I really am just piecing bits and pieces of info together.

I found your comments interesting about the Stabler Cutoff, if you notice Carter's account that he states he told the soldiers to "cutoff " their magazines and fire single shot. This terminology seemed strange but now makes sense, Thanks!

It may well be that they carried the 56-50 that you mentioned and I may be totally off. I hope to find casings in the place I suspect the battle occurred and then worry about that - but any information your board could add would be very valuable.



Thanks in advance for any help.

[smith693]

I thought I might add a little more information.
I have spent an extensive amount of time researching the possible location and the battle site he describes. The goal is to locate this site, recognize it and possibly mark the grave of of Private Leander Gregg with the honor it deserves. I think I may have located the site but have yet to find any casings - spending two days metal detecting a site 1.5 miles by 3/4 miles doesn't get much covered. I have found a buckle that could possibly be from a cavalry horse shoe pouch though.

Since I am actively hunting now, I though I might ask for some help on the casings that would be consistent with a cavalry unit using Spencer carbines in 1871. In the narrative of Robert G. Carter, he speaks highly of the Spencer and how much he loved them. I have been told that I might expect to find 50-70 casings for this battle but know nothing about these weapons. Two Flints kindly offered up that it might be 56-50 casings. I am just trying to have an idea of what these Spencers would have been using. I suppose that the location of any casings and the way they are situated will tell a lot.

So I guess I am wondering , in 1871-
Would a Spencer use a 45-70,50-70 or 56-70?

Also, are there any good reproductions or authentic weapons for sale that would be the equivalent of t=what the 4th Cavalry would have carried on Oct 10, 1871? What model is that and where might one find it?

[Two Flints]

Smith693,

Not sure if this is of any value to you . . .Ordinance Stores in the hands of Mackenzies soldiers in 1873 (not 1871) but it may give you some idea on weapons the soldiers carried into battle back then.




From the Richard A. Thompson book, Crossing the Border with the 4th Cavalry: Mackenzie's Raid into Mexico 1873

Two Flints

[smith693]

Very interesting,thanks.

One has to wonder why a company might have a couple of Spencers and many Sharps. I am seriously lacking any understanding of these weapons and their usage.

FYI-This ordinance is what MacKenzie troops carried as he basically invaded Mexico. Any man making Brevet General by age 24 (CW) has to have some guts ...LOL

[smith693]

In 1872 and 1874, MacKenzie returned to this area and formed a quite extensive supply camp that has been located and well searched. There have been many casings recovered and this is where I think I am getting confused.

Are the 45-70 and 50-70 casings from a Sharps? And the Spencers would be the 56-50?

[Jobe Holiday]

The .45-70 cases would only be from the 1873 Trapdoor Springfield, either in Carbine of Rifle models. The Sharps would most likely be in .50-70 because of the thousands of them converted from percussion to cartridge after the Civil War for continued use by the Cavalry. The Spencer Carbine would also most likely be in .56-50 caliber because of the popular use of the Model 1865 Carbine with the Stabler Cut-off in that time period.

J.

[smith693]

The .45-70 cases would only be from the 1873 Trapdoor Springfield, either in Carbine of Rifle models. The Sharps would most likely be in .50-70 because of the thousands of them converted from percussion to cartridge after the Civil War for continued use by the Cavalry. The Spencer Carbine would also most likely be in .56-50 caliber because of the popular use of the Model 1865 Carbine with the Stabler Cut-off in that time period.

J.

That makes sense now along with Two Flints description of weapons. I had it in my mind that they would all be carrying the same weapon.

Two Flints and I also discussed the Stabler Cutoff. If you notice in the narrative, carter states he had his men "cutoff" their magazines which never sounded right to me- seemed strange terminology. But now that falls into place with you guys help.

Does anyone happen to have the specs and dimensions on this particular 56-50 casing?

[Two Flints]

Smith693,

Another excellent source for the research you are doing is the Dusan P. Farrington book, "Arming and Equipping the United States Cavalry 1865-1902." On page 17-18, he mentions Captain Robert G. Carter of the 4th Cavalry and their use of the Spencers, and the effective use of the Stabler Cutoff in battle with the Comanches in 1871, at Blanco Canyon Texas.

Two Flints

[Arizona Trooper]

56-50 Spencer cases are rimfires. They look like big 22 shorts. Case length varies, but it's going to be around 1.2 inches.

[Tascosa Joe]

By the end of the 3rd Qtr 1874 the 4th Cavalry had converted to the 1873 Springfield in 45-70.  This is later than what you were looking for but it will help you date the period in which the 45-70 cases arrived in Blanco Canyon.  Ref:  National Archives Microfilm roll 1281, Record Group 156-159.  Battles of the Red River War by J. Brett Cruse page 154.  Other units had a mix of Sharps, Springfield, Remington, and Spencer. 

I am in the middle of Carters book which Two Flints posted the excerpt.  I finished the Blanco Canyon account about 2 nights ago.  Becuase of the date of the battle and Carter's account you can deduct that many of th 4th Cav Soldiers were armed with Spencers.

T-Joe

[Tascosa Joe]

Another thought.  You might go to the Barracks and see if you can get F Trooper to come up on the net.  He was a grad student under Cruse and they did a lot of research on the subject.  He also was a park historian at Fort McCavitt. 

T-Joe

[smith693]

Another thought.  You might go to the Barracks and see if you can get F Trooper to come up on the net.  He was a grad student under Cruse and they did a lot of research on the subject.  He also was a park historian at Fort McCavitt. 

T-Joe

Thanks I'll see if I can find him.

[pony express]

Thanks I'll see if I can find him.

I don't see him online much lately, bit if you search back some of his post's, he was doing an online "Facebook store", so if you go there it might be a good way to contact him.

[Tascosa Joe]

Carter made refernce to Spencer's by name in the chapter about capturing the 10 deserters.  The desertion event was a few weeks after the Rgmt returned from the Blanco Canyon fight.

[Oregon Bill]

Here are photos of an original Spencer cartridge found near the site of the Modoc War fought in 1872-73 and a recent centerfire handload using Starline brass for an Armi Sport Spencer carbine.

[Oregon Bill]

By the way, Two Flints, thank you for this wonderful post. It reminds me that I have an unread copy of "Bad Hand," the biography of Gen. Ranald Mackenzie and his descent into madness.

[smith693]

Update:

We have been looking at a particular piece of ground that we think works for the mileage and description Carter and others gave for this battle site. Finally got on the ground on Friday. Here's what we found



If my theory is correct, it is in a great location. More should be found though before proving the theory correct.

My measurements are consistent with 56-50 specs, but a ballistics expert will be looking at it tomorrow. 

[smith693]

We also found these (in the same hole) about 50 yds from the casing.



Kind of a head-scratcher...

[Oregon Bill]

Smith: Weight and diameter of the bullets? What fun!